How to Create an Outdoor Breakroom
One of the most important things small business owners need to focus on when growing their brand is employee retention. High levels of turnover don’t just impact your bottom line. They can also destroy morale and leave your team feeling like their roles aren’t worth staying in. Luckily, it’s possible to improve retention—it just comes down to making your company feel like the welcoming environment you want it to be. One of the best ways to do that is to give employees access to the outdoors away from clients and customers. Here’s how to create an outdoor breakroom that your team will love.
Invest in High-Quality Furniture
Letting your team spend time outdoors on breaks is great but making them feel truly comfortable while they’re outside is even better. Rather than picking up the cheapest outdoor furniture you can find, choose pieces that are built to last and are comfortable to sit in or use. This might mean you’ll want to shop locally so you and a few trusted members of your staff can try different pieces out in person.
Remember, high-quality furniture might cost more upfront, but it will likely last longer than its cheaper counterparts. This means you’ll end up paying less in the long run.
Provide Plenty of Shade
Though it’s a great idea to put some seating in areas that get tons of sun, your team won’t necessarily want to spend all their time getting pelted with UV rays. Instead, make sure there’s plenty of shade for your team to enjoy the outdoors without getting a sunburn. If you have the space, hang large shades over the bulk of your seating area. If you’re working with a smaller space, consider building a gazebo or other small structure to shade seating and protect it from the elements. Plant trees in the area and let them provide shade once they mature. The options are only limited by your imagination and your budget.
Add Landscaping to Create a True Escape
While plopping tables out on a cement slab can still help your employees unwind, they’ll feel better if you create a space that’s beautiful to be in. Work with a commercial landscaping team to incorporate plants and natural elements into the area. This will make the outdoor break room more inviting and will encourage your team to use the space in the first place.
Keep It Secure
The most important thing to remember about your employees’ outdoor breakroom is that it’s theirs, not your customers’. This means you’ll want to keep it secure and inaccessible to the public. Build it in a location where your customers or clients aren’t likely to find or install fencing with a code only your employees will know to keep unwanted visitors out.
Your Commercial Landscaping Team Can Help
Giving your employees a safe and secure outdoor retreat can greatly improve morale and increase retention rates at your business. If you’re ready to bring your vision to life, reach out to Nationwide Landworks and let our team help you find the right landscape design, plants, and elements to create a retreat your team will love.
Go Back Invest in High-Quality Furniture
Letting your team spend time outdoors on breaks is great but making them feel truly comfortable while they’re outside is even better. Rather than picking up the cheapest outdoor furniture you can find, choose pieces that are built to last and are comfortable to sit in or use. This might mean you’ll want to shop locally so you and a few trusted members of your staff can try different pieces out in person.
Remember, high-quality furniture might cost more upfront, but it will likely last longer than its cheaper counterparts. This means you’ll end up paying less in the long run.
Provide Plenty of Shade
Though it’s a great idea to put some seating in areas that get tons of sun, your team won’t necessarily want to spend all their time getting pelted with UV rays. Instead, make sure there’s plenty of shade for your team to enjoy the outdoors without getting a sunburn. If you have the space, hang large shades over the bulk of your seating area. If you’re working with a smaller space, consider building a gazebo or other small structure to shade seating and protect it from the elements. Plant trees in the area and let them provide shade once they mature. The options are only limited by your imagination and your budget.
Add Landscaping to Create a True Escape
While plopping tables out on a cement slab can still help your employees unwind, they’ll feel better if you create a space that’s beautiful to be in. Work with a commercial landscaping team to incorporate plants and natural elements into the area. This will make the outdoor break room more inviting and will encourage your team to use the space in the first place.
Keep It Secure
The most important thing to remember about your employees’ outdoor breakroom is that it’s theirs, not your customers’. This means you’ll want to keep it secure and inaccessible to the public. Build it in a location where your customers or clients aren’t likely to find or install fencing with a code only your employees will know to keep unwanted visitors out.
Your Commercial Landscaping Team Can Help
Giving your employees a safe and secure outdoor retreat can greatly improve morale and increase retention rates at your business. If you’re ready to bring your vision to life, reach out to Nationwide Landworks and let our team help you find the right landscape design, plants, and elements to create a retreat your team will love.